Having finished a previous project a few months earlier, Brad Gortsema from Spokane, Washington, had a little too much spare time on his hands. So, he decided to purchase another project in order to fill the void of time slipping away. Brad’s plans were to pick up something on the cheap and flip it for extra cash. Well, as plans changed, things got more involved. Brad admits that he never wanted to take the project to the highest level but for some reason he couldn’t control himself and his talents. Plus, if he were to sell the rare unibody he knew that the down turned economy would bring out the tire kickers and low ballers offering pocket change compared to the worth of the ’63.
The truck didn’t start out in Brads hands as well as it looks in the pages and like most of the project vehicles out there, it is what you don’t see when handing over cash to purchase the vehicle that can bite you. Living a few miles away from Gortsema Customs of Spokane, Washington, owned by Brads father Rich, Brad was able to drive the pickup to work everyday. Well that didn’t last too long since the straight-six was eating starters left and right, and one day the hood flew up while driving down a hill. Luckily for Brad, he had a friend in the truck who helped get the hood shut while stopped in the middle of the road. The straw that broke the camels back is when the straight-axle kingpins decided to go bad and make it extremely hard to turn the wheels. Brad said that he would have to use all his strength to get the thing to turn correctly, so he decided that the truck needed to get parked and rebuilt for the better.
The straight-six came out of the truck and plans were made to swap out the motor with a Ford look-alike in the form of a Buick 350 engine. Lets just say, the motor fooled me when I glanced at it because the distributor is at the front of the motor of Brad’s Buick powered Ford. While the motor was being freshened up, Brad started by removing the seats and gas tank and discovered that the truck was not as solid as he thought. Underneath, the gas tank had rusted completely through the body and Brad wasted no time to patch the Swiss cheese of holes through the unibody. Brad says, “It’s hard to tell now, but the truck was a rust bucket. My Dad and I worked hard to make it this summer’s project.”
CTBrad Gortsema
Spokane, WA
1963 Ford UnibodyChassis
Frame: stock
Modifications: c-notch
Rearend / Ratio: Ford 9-inch / 3:08
Rear suspension: stock springs
Rear brakes: Ford drum
Front suspension: Mustang II built by owner
Front brakes: disc
Steering box: rack-and-pinion
Front wheels: GM steel
Rear wheels: GM steel
Front tires: BF Goodrich Radial TA
Rear tires: BF Goodrich Radial TA
Gas tank:Drivetrain
Engine: Buick 350
Heads: stock
Valve covers: Performance TA
Manifold / Induction: stock
Ignition: HEI
Headers: stock
Exhaust / Mufflers: 2-inch/ Borla
Transmission: TH350
Modifications: shift kit
Shifter: column shift
Body
Style: Unibody
Modifications: stock
Fenders front / rear: stock
Hood: stock
Grille: stock
Bed: stock
Bodywork and paint by: Bud Stenson, Max Devore and owner
Paint type / Color: Dupont / Sea Foam Green / Linen White
Headlights / Taillights: stock/ Dennis Carpenter
Outside mirrors: stock
Bumpers: ’64-72 Ford bumpers from Dennis Carpenter
Interior
Dashboard: stock
Gauges: Auto Meter Old Tyme White
Air conditioning: Vintage Air
Stereo: Custom Audio Sound
Steering wheel: ’68 Chevy C10 with custom horn button by owner
Steering column: GM
Seats: ’88 Chevy C10
Upholstery by: Classic Auto Trim of Spokane, WA
Material / Color: White Vinyl
Carpet: JC Whitney